Vincent Kompany's comeback lasted just nine minutes after the Manchester City captain aggravated a calf injury in the win over Sunderland.

The central defender had been out since November 8 but appeared to over-stretch within seconds of replacing Nicolas Otamendi. He tried to run the problem off but could not continue.

Manuel Pellegrini had hoped to ease the 29-year-old back into action and introduced him once the game was won against Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland.

Vincent Kompany walks off injured after picking up a knock during Manchester City's win over Sunderland

Kompany appeared to injure his calf just a few minutes after coming on during the convincing victory

An emotional Kompany took to Facebook shortly after the game to reassure the Manchester City supporters

The Belgian international took to Facebook shortly after the game to reassure fans following his early substitution against Sunderland, he wrote: 'Today was a bad day for me.

'My body feels invincible - the best it's ever been - but I'm challenged by a number of small and local injuries. It leaves me more frustrated than with any of the 'big' injuries I've had but it's a challenge that I will overcome.

'There are worst things in life of course and I never forget that. So I'm definitely not asking anyone to feel sorry for me and I hope you wouldn't anyway. This is a way to communicate my situation to those who maybe deserve answers.'

Share this article

Kompany will be assessed by a club doctor on Sunday to determine how serious the setback is. It will almost certainly keep the Belgian out of Tuesday’s clash against Leicester City.

‘Vincent is not the best news. He was ready to return,’ Pellegrini said. ‘I did not want him to play the whole game. He worked the whole week with normality.’

Further time out would constitute Kompany’s third spell out injured this season, with Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi often criticised while deputising.

‘Of course, I think it is better to win 4-0 than 4-1,’ Pellegrini added. ‘Maybe it was better to win 7-1 and score more goals but if you tell me now we are going to win all the games 4-1 here this season I don’t have any problem.’

The Belgian defender looks to the heavens as he faces another spell on the sidelines, his third this season

Kompany was replaced by Martin Demichelis as City's defensive worries this season continued